VOICES Time to honor our grads

An yone with a loved one who is graduating knows it’s about the culmination of years of hard work. ere’s a way, as a community, that we can honor those students.

You only have to know a student who is graduating this year to participate. In the past, grandparents, neighbors, family friends, neighborhood organizations, teachers and student peers send me information about graduates they’re proud of.

Here is what I need from you:

• e full name of the graduate.

• A headshot photo. ink senior pic- ture or a sel e of the grad in their cap and gown.

• e high school the student is graduating from. e school must be located in Denver (or the graduate must live in Denver if attending a school outside of the city). Students who are homeschooled or attending an online/virtual school are welcome to participate.

• eir after high school plans, which full sentence): is is what the work of a CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate) does every day. CASAs advocate for children who have su ered abuse and neglect and who are now in our court system by no fault of their own. ese children must try to understand fear, trauma, anger, anticipation, disappointment and the unknown — alone. And, sometimes at the tender age of 4 or 8 or 14. People say children are resilient. at’s true. Yet, they still harbor these experiences over a lifetime. It’s imperative we, as a community and society, change that. We must ensure these children have the coping skills and resources to address these challenges and to rise above. We owe that to them and ourselves. It really does take a village, to coin another cliché.

1) In your opinion, what makes the class of 2023 special and why?

2) What did you learn during your high school experience that you will take with you in your future endeavors?

Responses and photos can be emailed to me at: csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com. Feel free to call me at 303566-4107 if you need help.

It takes just the power of one to make a difference. at sounds cliché. Yet, in reality it is more than true.

Jane Dvorak

ese are the children who will grow up to work in and run businesses, become community leaders and sometimes fall to the wayside. It’s that last part that has inspired me to be a CASA to 16 children over the past 14 years.

As the 2022-2023 Colorado CASA Advocate of the Year, I’ve had the honor to advocate for children from newborn to young adult. Children who have seen and experienced violence that should never have been a part of anyone’s life, much less a child’s. Sexual abuse. Physical abuse. Emotional abuse. Domestic violence. Addiction. Crime. Poverty.

CASAs help ensure a child’s safety, best interests and well-being. ey are a voice for the child and the eyes and ears for the court. ey interact with attorneys, caseworkers, educators and therapists to ensure resources